"So, do you think you'll throw up when we get to China?"

The conversation each night between Josh and I has been about our trip to China. Does Kai have any idea that we are coming? How will I be able to sit on a flight for 18+ hours? What will we feel like when we step off the plane into China? AND of course, "Will you throw up when we get to China?"

Interestly enough, according to my mom, my dad asked her a version of this same question about me when they were discussing our trip as well. Ah, what a beautiful reputation I have. My answer to this question, "Probably." I am known to be a tad bit neurotic, but what I like to think of, in an endearing way. Like funny Ha, Ha, neurotic, not anal retentive-high strung-tight lipped-get a migraine and start puking uncontrollably- neurotic. Unfortunately, history would claim me as the later category.

I love to day dream of myself as a globally aware, adventure driven, open minded, dive into in type of person. I definitely married a "dive into it" person. In reality, I am more of a "Let's read about it, research it, make a list about it, develop a plan for it, get ready to execute that plan and suddenly maybe start to change my mind and feel like 'What was I thinking in the first place?' Then, I tend to want to sit on it for awhile, just to be sure how I really feel. This is when being married to Josh is great, as he gently will say, "OK, here we go. " And will calmly help me push forward, or at least hold my hair back while I puke.

My last delve into international travel didn't go so well. I did part of my student teaching overseas in Ireland. I was so excited about this endeavor, but rather nervous as well. On the flight over I started seeing the dreaded "floaters", a sure sign of an impending migraine. Sure enough, an impressively massive migraine headache swooped in, and while other passengers blissfully drooled on their mini-airplane pillows, I spent the flight walking back and forth to the closet bathroom, puking into the stainless steel-hole. When I finally got off the plane and found my way to where my host family was supposed to be, it took them awhile to pick me out as Mary, my host mother said, "You were literally green. We kept looking at your picture, looking at you, and trying to figure out if it was indeed you."

I have a history of getting sick as a kid when we traveled other places as well. So, having said this, I am really hoping to overcome this little trend of mine. My plan is the following, (yes I have a plan, of course I have plan!)

1. Try to not make too many plans and really focus on the present moment. (This plan does not count though)

2. Keep a good sense of humor about myself and this trip. I know that this trip is a big deal, but I do want to laugh a lot and go with the flow of things. "Our tickets aren't showing up on the computer? Oh my... won't this make a good story some day!" See, I am practicing!

3. Be kind to myself and try not to kill myself with unrealistic expectations. Sometimes I put myself through boot camp for no apparent reason. So, if I make a mistake I plan to be gentle with myself about it. I tend to research things to death, hoping I won't make any mistakes then. So, I plan to make lots of mistakes and be OK with it!

So, there you go, my three rules for myself for this travel. I'm also including a couple of pictures from this week. One is of the quilt my mom made for Kai. It is a tradition in our family that my mom makes an unique quilt for each of the grandchildren. I cannot wait to wrap Kai up in this lovely quilt.




The next one is a few of Elizabeth playing catch with Josh in our backyard this week. I had to capture this as I am fiercely proud of her. Seeing her dressed up in all her jeweled flip-flops, skirt and tutu while throwing a baseball with such power and force, (you should see this girl throw!), well, I just felt so proud. How wonderful to live in a time where a girl can dress up to her heart's content and still exert athleticism and power. The feminist in me just swelled watching her.